Carlisle Hosts State Chief's Association

Thursday, March 29, 2012  This evening the Officer and Members of the Carlisle Fire Company hosted the Delaware State Chief’s Association in Grier Hall. Member Fire Companies throughout Delaware meet each quarter at a member Fire Company’s Station to discuss business on the State level. Each meeting has the host company’s Ladies Auxiliary with preparing a meal prior to the business sessions of the meeting. This evening the Carlisle Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary prepared stuffed chicken breast chicken with all the fixen’s. As typical during the Chief’s meeting arrangements are made for a program involving a major incident that has occurred in the state or in the region. Chief Eric “Caesar” Haley with the Claymont Fire Company presented a 30 minute slide and video presentation on a townhouse fire in his first due district. Chief Haley provided an overview of the incident identifying various aspects of the alarm as they transpired. At the conclusion of his presentation lessons were learned from this particular alarm. Special thanks to Chief Haley and the Claymont Fire Company with sharing this experience with the Chief’s Association.

Marine Training Class

Tuesday, March 20, 2012  Earlier this evening Officers and Members from the Memorial Fire Company of Slaughters Beach (Station 89, Sussex County) provided an overview of their Marine Rescue capabilities to Carlisle during training night. The specially equipped response vehicle was reviewed regarding the various equipment and personal protective gear on board. Carlisle members were given the opportunity to don on the personal protective gear as well as work with marine rescue related equipment.  

 

Special thanks to Station 89 for allowing Carlisle the opportunity to work with their Marine Support Unit.

 

Photos By: Bill Carpenter  

Officers and Members recognized at Annual Appreciation Night

Saturday, March 17, 2012  Again this year Members and their spouses or significant others as well as selected guest from around the Milford area joined together for an evening of food, reflection, recognition and music. This year’s banquet theme centered around “sports” encouraging all guest attending with wearing their favorite local, regional or national team jersey. From Baseball to Lacrosse you had no trouble identifying their favorite team, in fact, there were even a few team mascots included! Again this year’s meal was prepared by the Pizza Palace Restaurant focusing on this year’s theme including fried chicken to pork bar-b-que along with the traditional banquet fare too.

FF/Eng. Ryan Knowles who also doubles as our resident webmaster assembled another great video presentation highlighting the various alarms and other events that occurred during 2011. After a great meal, President Sharp and Chief Carpenter began the awards presentation portion of the evening. Below is the list of this year’s recipients and the awards presented.

FF Keith Hill – 5 years

FF Brandon Shockley – 10 years

FF/Eng. Kevin Pettyjohn – 35 years

Past Chief Les Armour – 40 years

Past President Barry Fry – 40 years

Life Member Preston Dyer - 50 years

Chief Emeritus James Abbott – 55 years

Past Chief James “Pop” Bailey Sr. 60 years

 

This year’s President Award went to Director 1, FF/Eng Wayne B. Whitney recognizing the many hours he has contributed insuring Grier Hall is set up and prepared to host the many functions held in our banquet hall as well as the assistance he provides too the Building Superintendent and to the Chief Engineer. This Year’s Chief Award was presented to FF Gerald “Gerry” Howard for role with the Department’s Fire Prevention program with emphasis on the city’s “Senior” population as well as his community outreach with the various clubs and organizations touring the fire station. For Firefighter of the Year, the recipient went to Chief Engineer, Dorian Klaus for her commitment Chief Engineer following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor. Since assuming the new position she has improved interest in the driving program as well as being credited for the increase in the number of drivers responding to alarms. In addition, recognizing the countless hours she spends working on the apparatus as well as driving for outreach events and standbys when required. Her dedication extends beyond the fleet of the Department recognizing her work on various committee's throughout the year, especially the Banquet Committee, Membership Committee and Junior Member Committee.

 

 Following the men’s presentation Ladies Auxiliary President, Sharon Smith recognized the following members:

 

Muriel Gillespie – 1 year

Martha Thompson – 1 year

Donna Sharp – 1 year

Tracy Jones – 1 year

Sandy Fox – 15 years

Vickie Foxwell – 15 years

Sara Kay Phillips – Life Membership

Connie Fox – Past President

 

Lady of the Year Cindy Yocum

 

 

A special thanks to Mayor Joseph “Ronnie” Rogers with presenting a very generous contribution from the City to our Company. The Officers and Members of Carlisle are very fortunate for the support and recognition our City Council members demonstrate about their local volunteer Fire Company. Carlisle appreciates everything the City provides to our organization. We would be remised without extending our thanks and appreciation to Senator, Gary Simpson  along with Representatives, Harvey Kenton, Dave Wilson and Jack Peterman as well as Levy Court Commissioner Eric Buckson for their continued support to our organization and presenting Legislative Tributes to Past Chief Bailey in recognition of his 60 years of service to the Milford Community. The evening’s festivities cumulated with music presented by DJ Diva providing the audible backdrop for dancing and occasional karaoke for the members and their guest to enjoy leading to the conclusion of another Annual Appreciation Banquet.

 

A special thanks to all the members including our Ladies Auxiliary that complemented this year’s banquet committee for another great job. Hope to see everyone again next year!

 

 

Photos By: Christine Magee

House Fire in North Shores

Saturday, March 17, 2012  At 10:00 hours Carlisle was alerted to a house fire (in the kitchen) on the 700 block of East Lane, North Shores. Command 42 (42-18 Assistant Chief Griffith) responded and upon arrival established East Lane Command. Engine 42-4 with (42-15 Chief Carpenter) responded and advised by “East Lane” Command the fire had been extinguished by the homeowner with an extinguisher and upon arrival to place mechanical ventilation in service as well investigate for possible extensions. Ladder-42 with (42-23 Lt. Caiola) responded and was advised by Command to stage on East Lane assigning the crew to assist with ventilation. East Lane Command requested a Fire Marshal to respond resulting from the extent of damage from the initial incident. Tanker-42 responded and was advised to stage behind L-42 on East Lane and to have the crew stand-by on the truck. East Lane Command  placed the scene under control at 10:13 hours with all units back in quarters at 10:34 hours.  

 

Units Responding: Command 42, Engine 42-4, Ladder-42, Tanker-42, Fire Police Units, Delaware State Fire Marshal

 

Photos By: Bill Carpenter

Extended Training Opportunities expanding Carlisle's Skill Set

Sunday, March 11, 2012  Earlier today Officers and Members took the opportunity to train interior operations at the Sussex Division of the Delaware State Fire School. Typically Tuesday evenings are designated training night however, when the opportunity presents itself no one can argue with additional training in order to improve the skills necessary for your firefighters that serve the Milford community.  Firefighters today continue to be confronted with new and advance technologies! This can extend from new to advanced   equipment or applications firefighters are required to be familiar with throughout their career. Additionally, training applications extend to the new and advanced technologies industry provides improving the quality of life as we all know it. These technologies create challenges for today’s firefighters and Carlisle is no different.

 

 On Wednesday, March 14, I.G. Burton Chevrolet of Milford hosted a training opportunity for Carlisle focusing on the new hybrid electric Volt. Members received information from industries representatives on the various components of this particular line of automobile. Firefighters are particular interested in this type of training providing emergency personnel specific information they can apply in an emergency situation involving this particular product.

 

The Officers and Members of Carlisle extend their sincere thanks to the Staff and Management of I. G. Burton Chevrolet for the opportunity with learning and understanding this new model of electric hybrid automobiles.

 

Photos By: Shawn Hinton

Daisy's Visit Carlisle

Sunday, March 11, 2012  Girl Scout Daisy Troop 272 visited the Carlisle Fire House on Sunday March 11th, 2012 as part of their work to earn a “Respect Authority” petal. The girls learned about the work of the fire company in their community helping citizens when they are called. They also learned more about Smoke Detectors and that the sound of BEEP – BEEP- BEEP means get out and STAY OUT.

 

 

Thanks to Daisy Troop 272 for visiting the fire company.

 

 

Photos By: Gerald Howard

Carlisle reminds "Fire Safety" for Older Adults

Saturday, March 10, 2012  The United States Fire Administration reminds everyone particularly older adults to focus on fire safety. The facts speak for themselves: the relative risk of Americans over the age of 65 dying in a fire is 2.6 times greater than that of the general population. The risk worsens as age increases. People age 85 and older die in fires at a rate 4.4 times higher than the rest of the population. The leading cause of fire deaths in older adults is smoking and the leading cause of fire injuries in older adults is cooking. There are a number of precautionary steps older Americans can take to dramatically reduce their chances of becoming a fire casualty, including: Don’t leave smoking materials unattended and never smoke in bed. Never leave cooking unattended. Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heat sources, like portable space heaters, wood burning stoves, and fireplaces. Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside bedrooms. Know at least two exits from every room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily. For more information about fire safety for older adults scroll down the left hand side of our webpage, click on downloads and locate the “fact sheet: on Fire Safety for Older Adults. The fact sheet is also available in Spanish. For more information go to www.usfa.gov/campaigns/50plus Let’s work together to making 2012 another year without any fire deaths in Milford.

This Day in Carlisle's History

Friday, March 9, 2012  On March 9, 1900,The steamer “Delaware”, which carried freight and passengers between Philadelphia and Milford, Del., was burned at her dock in Milford. The steamer, which was valued at $30,000, was a total loss. She was partially covered by insurance. The steamer, owned by Vinyard & Bros., and plying between Milford and Philadelphia, was burned to the water's edge early this morning. The fire started, it is supposed, in the kitchen.   Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA 20 Mar 1900 & The Sun, Baltimore, MD 10 Mar 1900

MVC with Entrapment South Rehoboth Boulevard

Wednesday, March 7, 2012  At 21:48 hours Carlisle was alerted to an MVC with possible entrapment on 5928 South Rehoboth Boulevard. Command 42 (42-17 Assistant Chief Vanaman) went on scene establishing command reporting “heavy entrapment”.   Rescue 42 responded with “Rehoboth Boulevard” Command advising upon arrival to prepare for extended entrapment. Engine 42-5 responded, Command 42 advised the crew upon arrival to assist Rescue- 42 with extrication operations. Engine 42-4 responded where Command advised the crew upon their arrival to placing a hand line in service and standing by during extrication operations.  Sussex County Medic 101 as well as an additional BLS unit B-50 (Harrington) responded to the scene. Extrication was completed at 22:03 hours, where several patients were transport to Bay Health Milford Memorial. Rehoboth Boulevard Command went under control at 22:10 hours with all units clearing at 22:34 hours.

 

Units Responded: Command 42, Rescue-42, Engine 42-5, Engine 42-4, Ambulance A-42, B-42 , SCEMS Unit 101, Ambulance B-50, Delaware State Police Aviation Trooper Medic 2, 42 Fire Police Units, Milford Police Department.

 

Photos By: Bill Carpenter   

This Day in Carlisle's History

Tuesday, March 6, 2012  On March 6, 1962 a massive storm was caused by an unusual combination of three pressure areas, combined with atmospheric conditions of the spring equinox which normally causes exceptionally high tides. The storm stalled in the mid-Atlantic off of the south coast of New Jersey for nearly three days, pounding coastal areas with continuous rain, high winds, resulting in significant tidal surges and dumping large quantities of snow inland for several hundred miles. Such was the case along the tidal Atlantic and Delaware Bay beaches. Tributaries from the bay resulted in damaging flood waters miles inland. This was the case in Milford, where the Mispillion River spilled over its banks flooding large portions of the city’s business district. During the height of this storm water from the river was measured as much as 3 feet in depth at our former fire station located at the corner of Church and South East Front Streets. When it was apparent the station would be flooded apparatus was re-located until the waters receded.  The photo to the left looks north on church street and on the right the brick two story building is our former fire station. The photo to the right is looking east on North East Front Street near the former Milford Southern States Fertilize plant. The approximate location where this particular picture was taken would estimate the river sitting less than 100 feet on the right side of the photograph. Like many of the fire companies up and down the Delaware Coast Carlisle was involved assisting in a variety of rescues, service calls and investigating the welfare of many people along and near the Delaware Coastline. Not only did this storm alter the coastline it remains as one of the biggest coastal storms in Delaware history.